Who's who at BMVC
Patron
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol Councillor Henry Michallat
President
Andy Brassington
Chairman
Steve Lewis
Vice Chairman
Carl McDermott
Secretary
Malcolm Cheatham
Treasurer
Steve Williams
Concert secretary
Martin Roach
The Music Team
Lottie Osman – Musical director, Composer, and Music Educator
Lottie has been passionate about music from an early age, making her conducting debut at just 16 as Musical Director for Northavon Youth Theatre’s production of Half a Sixpence. Since then, she has worked with a wide variety of ensembles, bringing her expertise and dedication to every performance.
Her love of choral music was shaped early on through the rich traditions of the eisteddfods, where she developed a deep appreciation for vocal harmony and ensemble singing. This foundation, combined with an eclectic musical taste, informs her approach as a conductor and educator. She is committed to blending traditional repertoire with the wealth of exciting new music and genres available, ensuring that every group she works with experiences both the classics and contemporary innovations.
In her twenties, she had the privilege of collaborating with the late Leanne Kane, an American opera singer who had moved to the UK. Their partnership flourished both in recital performances, where Lottie served as an accompanist, and in larger productions, including Bernstein’s Mass, for which she was Musical Director.
As a composer, she has written several choral works, including a Christmas Mass for divisi choir, showcasing her ability to craft intricate and expressive vocal music. While circumstances did not allow her to pursue music as a full-time career, her lifelong dedication to teaching and community engagement has left a lasting impact. She has taught music privately, supported educational initiatives in schools, and in 2013, founded Stroud’s first community choir for women, followed by a male voice choir the following year.
A skilled multi-instrumentalist, she studied oboe and piano and spent a decade touring with youth orchestras and various ensembles, primarily as an oboist but also occasionally performing on saxophone. Her diverse musical experiences continue to inform her work as a conductor, composer, and educator, inspiring those she works with to explore a wide and vibrant musical landscape.
Clair Hiles Dip. Music Therapy, Dip. TCM, MA Cantab. ALCMAccompanist (Right)
Clair has loved playing the piano since she was 5. She accompanied her first choir at 12 and has relished playing for soloists, ensembles and choral groups ever since. Clair’s passion for history, art and music led her to Cambridge University, where she performed Beethoven’s 1st Piano Concerto and at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama London, where she studied with notable accompanists such as Roger Vignoles and Graham Johnson. To date, the highlight of Clair’s musical career has been her recent studies in Manhattan, NYC, with Seymour Bernstein - this adventure gave her the change to perform some of the masterpieces of the solo piano repertoire, including Beethoven’s last 3 piano sonatas, in USA, Australia and Europe. Currently, Clair lives in Bristol, with her precious tortoiseshell kitten and enjoys teaching and playing regularly with the Pump Room Trio in Bath. Clair is a qualified Music Therapist and Sound Healer and is also deeply committed to her own path of yoga and personal development.
